Auburn circa 1920.

When Lee (volunteer driver) took Marie and Roy Petersen to an eye doctor appointment, they certainly had a lot to talk about!  Marie and Roy, both 93, have known Lee and his family for many decades, and they’d often crossed paths in Auburn.   Marie had frequently volunteered for various community programs with Lee’s mother, Elaine, and Lee had carpeted the Petersen’s home and cabin for over thirty years prior to his recent retirement.  Marie was happy to see a familiar face and commented, “It was so nice to see him again!”

Lee, Marie and Roy all know a lot of local history.  Lee was born and raised in Auburn; Marie moved to Auburn in 1943; and Roy was born in Algona (Auburn’s neighbor) in 1921.  Community involvement is important to all of them.  Although they’ve seen the area change a great deal over the years, their reconnection demonstrates that Auburn still can have that “small town” feel at times.

The Volunteer Transportation program is full of such serendipitous reunions, and volunteers and clients often discover many commonalities.  This inspires a possible new tagline for the program:  See what worlds collide during a ride!

• Reach out and drive someone.
• The road will never be the same again.
• Sheer driving pleasure.
• The ultimate driving experience.
• We’ll put you in the driver’s seat.
• ‘Driven’ with compassion.
• The drive of your life.
• We are driving excitement. 
• Drive Your Dreams.
• Driving is believing.
• Drive up.  Dream up.
• Drivers and passengers will never be the same.
• You have a ‘license’ to make a difference.
• Keep our wheels spinning.
• Imagine the stories you’ll hear.
• Imagine the places you’ll go.
• Our volunteers accumulate "miles and miles" of positive impact.
• Help us leave no senior behind.
• Let’s get seniors out and about.
• Take a turn in the right direction—become a volunteer driver today.
• Rides change lives.
• Let the journey begin.

Do you have any good ideas?  If so, please email them to me at hilaryc@seniorservices.org.  To end with a tagline, let’s “drive the distance” to ensure that more caring volunteer drivers are making a difference in the lives of King County seniors!